Reconfigurable holiday tree

ABSTRACT

A reconfigurable holiday tree is provided that includes a plurality of discs configured to receive or connect with a plurality of trunks about its circumference. The trunks may be configured to accept a plurality of leafs therewithin. The leafs may be arranged to mimic leaves of a tree and may be arranged about the circumference of the discs held by the trunks. The leafs may overlap one another.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit and priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/884,369 filed Aug. 8, 2019, entitled “RECONFIGURABLEHOLIDAY TREE,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure is directed generally to a reconfigurable holiday treeand, more particularly, to an apparatus comprising a reconfigurableholiday tree having insertable leaves into a series of trunks, amongother features.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In aspects, a reconfigurable holiday tree is provided that may mimic areal natural tree.

In one aspect, an apparatus may comprise a plurality of layers of discsincluding a first layer of discs and a second layer of discs, each layerof discs having a circumference; a plurality of trunks positionableabout the circumference of the plurality of layers of discs and eachtrunk connectable to each disc; and a plurality of leafs arrangable ascircumferential rows of leafs about the circumference of the pluralityof layers of discs, and each of the plurality of leafs connectable to atleast one of the plurality of trunks for creating a reconfigurableholiday tree, wherein each disc has a plurality of first connectingmechanisms arranged about a circumference of each disc or each of theplurality of trunks has at least one second connecting mechanism, andeach trunk is connectable to each disc using either one of the firstconnecting mechanisms or the at least one second connecting mechanism. Afirst circumferential layer of the plurality of discs may comprise discsthat have a surface area smaller than a second circumferential layer ofthe plurality of discs. A first circumferential layer of the pluralityof discs may be nearer a top of the reconfigurable holiday tree whenconstructed. Each of the first connecting mechanisms may comprise afriction-fit slit. Each of the second connecting mechanisms may comprisea friction-fit slit. Each trunk may connectable to each disc using bothof the at least one of the first connecting mechanisms and the at leastone of the second connecting mechanisms.

The plurality of trunks may each comprise a tip with a flat inner edgelocated at a top end of each trunk and constructed so that the flatinner edge on one of the plurality of trunks aligns with a second flatinner edge of another of the plurality of trunks. The plurality oftrunks may connect with each of the plurality of discs resulting in theplurality of trunks being at an angle to vertical. The first row of thecircumferential rows of leafs may have leafs with a smaller surface areaas compared with an adjacent second row of the circumferential rows ofleafs. The first row of the circumferential rows of leafs may overlap atleast in-part with the adjacent second row of the circumferential rowsof leafs. One of more of the plurality of leafs may include at least oneof a etched pattern, a scored pattern, an embossed design, a patternthat cuts through the one of more of the plurality of leafs, a photo, alenticular layer, or combinations thereof. One of more of the pluralityof leafs may be constructed from one or more of: a plastic, wood, acomposite material, and a metal. Each disc may have a differentcircumference.

In one aspect, a method for providing a reconfigurable holiday tree isprovided that include the following steps providing a plurality oflayers of discs including a first layer of discs and a second layer ofdiscs, each layer of discs having a circumference; providing a pluralityof trunks positionable about the circumference of the plurality oflayers of discs and each trunk connectable to each disc; and providing aplurality of leafs arrangable as circumferential rows of leafs about thecircumference of the plurality of layers of discs, and each of theplurality of leafs connectable to at least one of the plurality oftrunks for creating a reconfigurable holiday tree, wherein each disc hasa plurality of first connecting mechanisms arranged about acircumference of each disc or each of the plurality of trunks has atleast one second connecting mechanism, and each trunk is connectable toeach disc using either one of the first connecting mechanisms or the atleast one second connecting mechanism. A first layer of the plurality ofdiscs may comprise a disc that may have a surface area smaller than asecond layer comprising another disc of the plurality of disc. The firstlayer of the plurality of discs may be nearer a top of thereconfigurable holiday tree when constructed. Each of the firstconnecting mechanisms may comprise one of: a friction-fit slit, amagnet, a snap fit and a hook and loop connector. Each of the secondconnecting mechanisms may comprise a friction-fit slit a magnet, a snapfit, a hook and loop connector or a hole and pin connector. Each trunkmay be connectable to each disc using both of the at least one of thefirst connecting mechanisms and the at least one of the secondconnecting mechanisms. The step of providing a plurality of leafs maypermit the first row of the circumferential rows of leafs to overlap atleast in-part with the adjacent second row of the circumferential rowsof leafs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various drawings provided are meant to assist in explaining theconcepts of the various aspects of the example embodiments, and areincorporated by reference herein as part of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exploded view of an example of areconfigurable holiday tree, configured according to principles of thedisclosure;

FIG. 2A is a cut-away side-view illustration of an examplereconfigurable holiday tree, configured according to principles of thedisclosure;

FIG. 2B is a cut-away axonometric view of an illustration of an examplereconfigurable holiday tree, configured according to principles of thedisclosure;

FIG. 2C is a cut-away top view illustration of an example reconfigurableholiday tree 100, configured according to principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 2D is a cut-away side view illustration of an examplereconfigurable holiday tree 100, configured according to principles ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a side-view illustration of an example of a reconfigurableholiday tree, configured according to principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 3B is an axonometric view of an illustration of an example of areconfigurable holiday tree, configured according to principles of thedisclosure;

FIG. 3C is an illustration of a top-view of an example reconfigurableholiday tree, configured according to principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 3D is an illustration of a front-view of an example reconfigurableholiday tree 100, configured according to principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 4A-4D are example illustrations of different leafs for use in areconfigurable holiday tree, configured according to principles of thedisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a close up view of an illustration of a connecting mechanismfor releasably connecting a leaf to the trunk, configured according toprinciples of the disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is an illustration of partial reconfigurable holiday tree,configured according to principles of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure and the various features and advantageous details thereofare explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodimentsand examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing and detailed in the following description. It should be notedthat the features illustrated in the drawing are not necessarily drawnto scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with otherembodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if notexplicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components andprocessing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscurethe embodiments of the disclosure. The examples used herein are intendedmerely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the disclosuremay be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art topractice the embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the examplesand embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope ofthe disclosure. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numeralsrepresent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof, as used inthis disclosure, mean “including, but not limited to”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this disclosure, means “oneor more”, unless expressly specified otherwise. The term “leafs” usedherein is synonymous with “leaves.”

Although process steps, method steps, algorithms, or the like, may bedescribed in a sequential order, such processes, methods and algorithmsmay be configured to work in alternate orders. In other words, anysequence or order of steps that may be described does not necessarilyindicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. Thesteps of the processes, methods or algorithms described herein may beperformed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performedsimultaneously.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readilyapparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of asingle device or article. Similarly, where more than one device orarticle is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a singledevice or article may be used in place of the more than one device orarticle. The functionality or the features of a device may bealternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are notexplicitly described as having such functionality or features.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exploded view of an example of areconfigurable holiday tree 100, configured according to principles ofthe disclosure. The reconfigurable holiday tree 100 comprises aplurality of discs 110 a-110 d, a plurality of trunks 105 a-105 c and aplurality of leafs 115 a-115 c. There may be more or less discs 110a-110 d, trunks 105 a-105 c and leafs 115 a-115 c than shown, dependingon the desired size of a reconfigurable holiday tree. FIG. 1 is also areduced component illustration for explanation purposes, many more leafs115, and more trunks 105, along with potentially more discs 110, may becommonly employed to create a reconfigurable holiday tree 100. Theplurality of discs 110 a-110 d may be sized from a smaller diameter toincreasing larger diameters as shown, i.e., in relation to disc 110 athrough disc 110 d, which provides for an infrastructure to permit anincreasing outer circumference 104 of the reconfigurable holiday tree100 to mimic a holiday tree that increases in circumference from anarrow top 101 to an expanded bottom 102. A next larger disc, e.g., disc110 b compared with an immediately prior smaller disc 110 a, may have aradius that is from about 10% to about 50% larger. In some embodiments,the radius of a next larger disc, e.g., disc 110 b compared with animmediately prior smaller disc 110 a, may be from about 15% to about 40%larger. In some embodiments, the radius of a next larger disc, e.g.,disc 110 b compared with an immediately prior smaller disc 110 a may befrom about 12% to about 30% larger. In some embodiments, the radius of anext larger disc, e.g., disc 110 b compared with an immediately priorsmaller disc 110 a, may be from about 7% to about 20% larger. Any of theabove radius change in dimension from a first disc to a second largerdisc may apply to any or all the discs 110 a-110 d. In this way, layersof leafs 115 (e.g., L1, L2, L3, Ln) may be releasably connected to thetrunks 105. Each layer or row of discs may contain increasing numbers ofleafs compared with an adjacent layer or row of discs nearer or towardsa top of the tree. Each layer or row of discs may overlap, at least inpart, an adjacent layer or row of discs.

Trunks 105 a-105 c (i.e., T1, T2, T3, Tn) may comprise a flat verticalmember with a point at a top end and trunks 105 a-105 c are configuredwith slits 112 on an inner edge 107 that may be inserted intocorresponding slits 111 of the discs 110 a-110 d (i.e., layers of discsD1, D2, D3, Dn). The tips 109 in the top end of each trunk are formed sothat when the trunks 105 a-105 c are arranged at an angle to verticalabout discs 110 a-110 d, the angled inner side or edge 103 of the tips109 tend to mate, meet, or align with one another at the top of theholiday tree. The tips 109 being closer to the vertical axis 125 (FIG.2D) of holiday tree 100 than the bottom end of the trunks. The tips 109may or may not touch one another. Trunks 105 a-105 c provide spacingbetween layers of discs and provide vertical structural support for thediscs 110 a-110 d and also leafs 115 a-115 b. The trunks 105 a-105 cwhen connected to the discs 110 a-110 d results in the trunks being atan angle to vertical of the central axis of the holiday tree.Alternatively, in some embodiments, slits may be configured in eitherthe discs 110 or the inner trunk side 107, or both. The trunks 105 a-105c may be configured with a plurality of slits 113 on an outer edge 108for receiving a plurality of leafs 115 a-115 c. In some embodiments, thespacing between slits 113 may be configured closer together proximatethe top 101 of reconfigurable holiday tree 100 to permit smaller sizedleafs 115 to cover one another. The leafs 115 may be of increasinglygreater surface area so that smaller surface area leafs 115 a may belocated proximate the top 101 of the reconfigurable holiday tree 100,while large surface area leafs, e.g., leaf 115 c, may be positionedtowards the bottom 102 of the reconfigurable holiday tree 100. In otherwords, the size of the leafs 115 may increase in surface area from top101 to bottom 102 as the leafs are positioned on the reconfigurableholiday tree 100. Leafs on an upper layer, e.g., 115 a, may overlap, atleast in part, with a leaf on a lower layer, e.g., 115 b. Leafs 115a-115 c may have a plurality of circumferential sides, such as 3, 4, 5or more circumferential sides. The increasing surface area of a leaf ina first circumferential layer of leafs to a next lower layer ofcircumferential layer of leafs may increase in surface area by about 10%to about 30%, from about 5% to about 25%, or from about 15% to about 35%or more. In some embodiments the increasing surface area of a leaf in afirst circumferential layer of leafs to a next lower layer ofcircumferential layer of leafs may increase in surface area by at least20%.

The plurality of leafs 115 a-115 c may be configured with a slit 117 onan upper edge 119 (FIG. 4A) of the leaf 115. The leafs 115 may beconfigured with multiple sides, with a narrowing of surface area near anupper edge. The narrowing may be sufficient to create a triangular shapewith a small flat edge to create the upper edge. The lower edge or side118 may be multiple edges or sides of differing directions creatingmultiple angles, and/or may include edges with one or more radiuses. Thethickness of the side 118, as well as the other sides of leafs 115 a-115c may be from about 1/64″ to about ⅜″, but can be more or less. In someversions, the thickness of leafs 115 a-115 c may be different from onerow to a next row. For example, the thickness of the leafs may bethicker in a lower row of leafs from a higher row of leafs.

FIG. 2A is a cut-away side-view illustration of an examplereconfigurable holiday tree 100, configured according to principles ofthe disclosure. FIG. 2B is a cut-away axonometric view of anillustration of an example reconfigurable holiday tree 100, configuredaccording to principles of the disclosure. As can be seen in FIG. 2B,the leafs 115 may be smaller near the top 101 and increases row-by-rowin surface area, including increasing width and height, as the rows nearthe bottom 102. The rows of leafs may overlap. FIG. 2C is a cut-away topview illustration of an example reconfigurable holiday tree 100,configured according to principles of the disclosure. FIG. 2C shows thetrunks 105 spaced evenly about the outer circumference of the discs 110,but arranged so that the trunks 105 come together to form a cone shape,and also to form a narrow top 121 (FIG. 3A). Fingers 114 are formed inthe trunk 105 to permit attaching and detaching of leafs 115. FIG. 2D isa cut-away side view illustration of an example reconfigurable holidaytree 100, configured according to principles of the disclosure. Alsoshown in FIG. 2D is a vertical axis 125 of the holiday tree. The trunks105 when assembled with the discs 110 would be at an angle to thevertical axis 125; the angle being related, at least in part, to theoverall circumference of each disc from one row to the next. The largerthe circumferences of the lower layers of discs, e.g., 110 c and 110 d,the greater the degree of angle from vertical of the holiday tree thetrunks may become.

FIG. 3A is a side-view illustration of an example of a reconfigurableholiday tree 100, configured according to principles of the disclosure.As can be seen in this illustration, the fingers 114 are visible becauseof smaller leafs 115 near the top 101, which also provides addedartistic realism mimicking, to a certain degree, branches in a naturaltree, such as a cedar or pine tree. FIG. 3B is an axonometric view of anillustration of an example of a reconfigurable holiday tree 100,configured according to principles of the disclosure. FIG. 3C is anillustration of a top-view of an example reconfigurable holiday tree100, configured according to principles of the disclosure. FIG. 3D is anillustration of a front-view of an example reconfigurable holiday tree100, configured according to principles of the disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4D are example illustrations of different leafs for use in areconfigurable holiday tree 100, configured according to principles ofthe disclosure. FIG. 4A shows a blank leaf that may be provided as partof a product packaging along with the discs 110 and trunks 105, usuallyas a plurality of leafs 115. The leaf 115 may be a natural wood, a woodtype color, or may be unfinished for painting, or otherwise customizedby a consumer. FIG. 4B shows that the leaf has cut patterns configuredinto the leaf 115. The cut patterns may be objects, names, graphicpatterns or the like. FIG. 4C shows a leaf 115 that has etched graphicsthereon. FIG. 115 shows a leaf with printed graphics, such as a naturescene or any other type of printable graphic. This may includelenticular graphics. The leafs 115 may be any one of more of the leafsin FIGS. 4A to 4D, in any combination.

The leafs 115 may be constructed as a graphic or illustrative puzzle, sothat when the reconfigurable holiday tree 100 is provided, such as akit, a consumer may find enjoyment assembling the reconfigurable holidaytree in proper order, by having to organize the intended scene orgraphic associated with the kit or product.

FIG. 5 is a close up view of an illustration of a connecting mechanism124 for releasably connecting a leaf 115 to the trunk 105, configuredaccording to principles of the disclosure. The slit 117 on the leaf 115configured to be inserted into, and removed from, the trunk 105, therebymaking possible reconfiguring the reconfigurable holiday tree 100. Afinger 114 configured on the trunk 105 may be a flexible finger 114 thatmoves slightly when the leaf 115 is inserted into the slit 113 of trunk105 under finger 114. An opening 118 in the leaf 115 receives the foot123 of the finger 114 when the leaf 115 is inserted and aligned in slit113 of the trunk. The distance D1 and the distance D2 may be essentiallythe same distance. The foot 123 holds the leaf 115 onto the trunk 105.The finger 114 is flexible to open slightly to permit the leaf 115 to beremoved. The connecting mechanism 124 may take on other techniquesincluding, but not limited to: a friction fit connection, a screw, amagnetic connector, a snap fit, a hook and loop connector, an adhesive,and the like.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of partial reconfigurable holiday tree 200,configured according to principles of the disclosure. The holiday tree200 may give an impression or otherwise mimics a natural tree, such as,e.g., a fir tree, pine tree, cedar tree or the like. The materials forthe trunks 105, the discs 110 or the leafs 115 described herein may beselected from sheet material including cardboard, wood, metal, plastic,a composite material, or a combination thereof. Some leafs may be onematerial while other leafs made from another material. The leafs formingthe apparent branches may be any shape with different shapes from onebranch to another branch, or from one row to another row. The leafs mayhave increasing circumferences from one row to another row. Moreover,the leafs may have increasing lengths of sides, e.g. side The leafs mayattach to the trunks using a slot or other fastening mechanism such as,e.g., adhesive, tape, magnets, hole and pin, nails or screws, orcombinations thereof. The leafs may be different sizes or the same sizeor a combination of repeating sizes and shapes in a pattern. The leafsmay be plain or decorated with printing, etched or scored patterns orpatterns cut through the leafs. The decorative pattern may be confinedto individual leafs and repeated on other leafs, or the pattern may spansome or all of the leaves. The leafs 115 a-115 c may be removed andreplaced. The leafs may have one or more different visual effects suchas color, a visual design, an etching, a printing, a photo, alamination, a lenticular layer, an embossed design, or combinationsthereof, so that a reconfigurable holiday tree is possible. In someapplications, different sized trunks, different discs, with more or lessleafs can be reconfigured. The collective set of different leafs whenviewed together as a whole may produce a visual effect or scene, e.g., anature scene or an image of a person or persons, that cannot be achievedwith a single standard leaf design. Alternatively, the collective set ofleafs may be constructed as a puzzle so that the leafs have to bearranged in a scenic-type order to achieve an effect or a scene. Thepuzzle could also be, e.g., a teaching tree that when constructedproperly (i.e., leafs being arranged in a predetermined or orderedsequence) delivers a teaching moment, such as, e.g., a math lesson or apictorial lesson on animals.

The trunks 105, the discs 110 and the leafs 115 may comprise a kit forretailing of a holiday tree type product. The images on the leafs may becustomized for particular usage or visual effect, such as toindividualize one or more, scenes, photographs, or other images.Alternatively, a consumer may customize the leafs themselves. The trunks105, the discs 110 or the leafs 115 described herein may be scaled tonearly any practical size for producing a desired reconfigurable holidaytree 100. The trunks 105, the discs 110 and/or the leafs 115 describedherein may be constructed with wood, plastic, composite materials,metal, or combinations thereof. The trunks 105, the discs 110 and/or theleafs 115 may be constructed with openings. Such openings may be forreducing material of trunks 105, the discs 110 and/or the leafs 115 bygreater than 10%, 20% or 30%, or may be to achieve an effect. Inembodiments, the discs may be round, oval, or star-shaped.

While the disclosure has been described in terms of exemplaryembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosurecan be practiced with modifications in the spirit and scope of theappended claims. These examples are merely illustrative and are notmeant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, embodiments,applications or modifications of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a plurality of layers ofdiscs including a first layer of discs and a second layer of discs, eachlayer of discs having a circumference; a plurality of trunkspositionable about the circumference of the plurality of layers of discsand each trunk connectable to each disc; and a plurality of leafsarrangable as circumferential rows of leafs about the circumference ofthe plurality of layers of discs, and each of the plurality of leafsconnectable to at least one of the plurality of trunks for creating areconfigurable holiday tree, wherein each disc has a plurality of firstconnecting mechanisms arranged about a circumference of each disc oreach of the plurality of trunks has at least one second connectingmechanism, and each trunk is connectable to each disc using either oneof the first connecting mechanisms or the at least one second connectingmechanism.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first circumferentiallayer of the plurality of discs comprises discs that have a surface areasmaller than a second circumferential layer of the plurality of discs.3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a first circumferential layer ofthe plurality of discs is nearer a top of the reconfigurable holidaytree when constructed.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of thefirst connecting mechanisms comprise a friction-fit slit.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the second connecting mechanismscomprise a friction-fit slit.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein eachtrunk is connectable to each disc using both of the at least one of thefirst connecting mechanisms and the at least one of the secondconnecting mechanisms.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theplurality of trunks each comprise a tip with a flat inner edge locatedat a top end of each trunk and constructed so that the flat inner edgeon one of the plurality of trunks aligns with a second flat inner edgeof another of the plurality of trunks.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the plurality of trunks connect with each of the plurality ofdiscs resulting in the plurality of trunks being at an angle tovertical.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first row of thecircumferential rows of leafs having leafs with a smaller surface areaas compared with an adjacent second row of the circumferential rows ofleafs.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first row of thecircumferential rows of leafs overlap at least in-part with the adjacentsecond row of the circumferential rows of leafs.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein one of more of the plurality of leafs include at leastone of a etched pattern, a scored pattern, an embossed design, a patternthat cuts through the one of more of the plurality of leafs, a photo, alenticular layer, or combinations thereof.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein one of more of the plurality of leafs are constructed from oneor more of: a plastic, wood, a composite material, and a metal.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein each disc has a different circumference.14. A method for providing a reconfigurable holiday tree, comprising:providing a plurality of layers of discs including a first layer ofdiscs and a second layer of discs, each layer of discs having acircumference; providing a plurality of trunks positionable about thecircumference of the plurality of layers of discs and each trunkconnectable to each disc; and providing a plurality of leafs arrangableas circumferential rows of leafs about the circumference of theplurality of layers of discs, and each of the plurality of leafsconnectable to at least one of the plurality of trunks for creating areconfigurable holiday tree, wherein each disc has a plurality of firstconnecting mechanisms arranged about a circumference of each disc oreach of the plurality of trunks has at least one second connectingmechanism, and each trunk is connectable to each disc using either oneof the first connecting mechanisms or the at least one second connectingmechanism.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein a first layer of theplurality of discs comprises a disc that has a surface area smaller thana second layer comprising another disc of the plurality of discs. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein the first layer of the plurality ofdiscs is nearer a top of the reconfigurable holiday tree whenconstructed.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein each of the firstconnecting mechanisms comprise one of: a friction-fit slit, a magnet, asnap fit and a hook and loop connector.
 18. The method of claim 14,wherein each of the second connecting mechanisms comprise a friction-fitslit a magnet, a snap fit and a hook and loop connector.
 19. The methodof claim 14, wherein each trunk is connectable to each disc using bothof the at least one of the first connecting mechanisms and the at leastone of the second connecting mechanisms.
 20. The method of claim 14,wherein the step of providing a plurality of leafs permits the first rowof the circumferential rows of leafs to overlap at least in-part withthe adjacent second row of the circumferential rows of leafs.